Movement is straightfoward in Ultimatum. To move a unit, you click and drag it to where you want to move. Tiles that are outlined blue are places your unit is able to go to. The distance a unit can move is determined on how high the unit's movement points are. Note that a unit that has just attacked, or a newly recruited or recalled unit will not be able to move. However, at the start of the round, your leader will be able to move. Additionally, when you capture a village, you will not be able to move after that, even if you have enough movement points. Your movement points will be set to 0 when you capture a village.

Each terrain has its own specific costs that are unique to each type of unit. Grass in most cases takes up 1 movement point to move on. Units like Spearmen and Mages have to use up 2 movement points to go into forest areas, while an Elvish Fighter only takes up 1 movement point to go through forest. Mermen Fighters also take up 2 movement points on land, but only 1 movement point while moving in the water. Some units are also completly restricted from entering a type of tile. For example, Mages cannot enter mountainous regions, while Dwarven units can move in mountainous regions with ease.

Some units are also able to fly, such as Blood Bats and Ghosts (with the exception of the water terrain). These units can fly over obsticals that they cannot go through while walking. Flying units can't land on places they can't walk onto, even though they can fly over them.

Every unit has a zone of control. A unit's Zone of Control is dependant on the unit's level. Level 1 and 2 units have a zone of control of only their location, while level 3 units and above control all tiles adjacent to the unit, including the unit's own location. However, level 1 and 2 units with the ability "landlord" have the zone of control of a regular level 3 unit.

Enemy cannot pass through another unit's zone of control, but can go inside the zone of control. Once a unit hits a tile in another unit's zone of control, they will not be able to move anymore, and their movement points are set to 0 for the turn. The exception to that rule is for units with the "skirmish" ability. Units with that ability are able to ignore the zone of control of one unit.

Every unit has a percentage of defense in a specific terrain. For example, most units have a defense rating of 60% in castles and villages. Defense rating affects the probability of an enemy unit successfully attacking them. Therefore, a unit in a terrain with a 60% defense rating has a 40% chance of getting hit if no other factors are affecting them. The probability of hitting someone is dependant on what type of terrain the enemy unit is standing on. So a mage can be in the water, and still hit a Naga Fighter on the land with accuracy.